coolant is leaking

[roberttran]

Hey,
Yesterday my OBC told me to check my coolant. I checked it when I got to work and the coolant was about 1cm under the cold line. When I started to head home the computer then again warned me about the coolant but didn't show up again when I stopped the car to fill up.
This morning I decided to check the coolant again while the engine was cold. The coolant level was towards the bottom of the bottle. I filled it up to the cold line and opened up the bleeder screw. Once the engine was on, I saw coolant leaking towards the bottom of the coolant resevior. It looked like it was coming out of some sensor thing that connects to the bottom of the bottle. What is that thing? Is it the coolant level sensor? I'm thinking about using some JB weld to seal that area/sensor up. Is that a good idea?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Robert

[Dahlar]

If there is no coolant loss then it is probably the coolant level sensor, a common problem.

[beatniks325]

I would just replaced the sensor and probably the expansion tank to depending on how it looked when i got it out of the car.

then you don't have to worry about the weld stuff breaking on down the road.

[roberttran]

Wierd,
I just filled up the coolant and drove around with the heat on high blast. The engine warmed up all the way aswell. When I got home, I check the coolant level and it is fine. When I touched the coolant bottle it was still cool to the touch. Does it take awhile before the coolant in the bottle/radiator heats up?
Btw, my coolant bottle is looks pretty dirty, its all green and I can't see the coolant through the bottle. I have to open up the cap to check it. If I replace the bottle and the sensor, what other parts do I need to replace that are associated? I checked http://www.realoem.com/bmw/ and couldn't find the part numbers or diagram for the 6 cylinder engine coolant system.

I also checked my fan clutch and I think it may be bad. While the car was running I could stop the fan with a rolled up magazine. Am I suppose to warm the car up before trying that? I plan on getting pelicanpart's waterpump super kit this spring (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/catalog/shopcart/BE36/POR_BE36_waterc_pg1.htm). Is there anything else I would worry about?

Thanks,
Robert

[beatniks325]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/j/593.png

from http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG13&mospid=47485&prod=19960900&btnr=17_0093&hg=17&fg=05

do some searching on coolant leak etc. you'll get a better guage for your particular problem.

[roberttran]

Actually there isn't a problem with the sensor thingy on the bottom. When I filled the coolant bottle I spilled some water and when the engine was on, the vibrations caused the water to flow out there making it look like a leak.

I read on some previous posts that it could be a blown head gasket.
Is it more likely to be a head gasket problem in the winter when it's really cold in the morning? I've been starting my car in the morning and letting it idle for 1-3 minutes. It is parked outside. I'm assuming it's a PITA to replace the head gasket? I havn't had much experience working on an engine.

Thanks,
Robert